Washing device for water treatment apparatus and washing method thereof

ABSTRACT

A washing device for a water treatment apparatus is provided. The washing device includes circulation members and a circulation module. The circulation members are connected to passages of the water treatment apparatus to circulate wash water through the passages of the water treatment apparatus. The circulation module is connected to the circulation members for circulating the wash water through the passages of the water treatment apparatus, with the circulation members thereby washing the passages of the water treatment apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a washing device for a water treatmentapparatus and a washing method thereof.

2. Description of Related Art

In general, a water treatment apparatus filters raw water to providepotable water. Examples of this water treatment apparatus may includewater purifiers and ionizers.

The water treatment apparatus includes a filter unit filtering water anda water cock admitting filtered water to provide potable water.Furthermore, this water treatment apparatus is divided into a tank typewater treatment apparatus that has a purified water tank in whichpurified water is stored, a cold water tank, and a hot water tank, or atank type water treatment apparatus that has part of these water tanks,and a tankless type water treatment apparatus that does not have any ofthese water tanks.

The filter unit, the water cock, and the various tanks of the watertreatment apparatus are connected through purified water pipes so thatpurified water can flow therethrough.

When the water treatment apparatus is used for a long period of time,the tanks, the water cock and the various purified water pipes becomecovered with foreign substances contained in water. Therefore, a user ora coordinator of the water purifier cleans the inside of each tankperiodically or upon necessity.

However, in the related art, cleaning cannot be easily undertakenbecause it may be impossible to insert cleaning tools into long, narrowpassages of the various purified water pipes or the water cock or toreach them with hands. Therefore, even after the water treatmentapparatus is cleaned, the user cannot help drinking water contaminatedwith foreign substances from within the water cock or the variouspurified water pipes.

SUMMARY

The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problems ofthe related art and therefore an aspect of the present invention is toprovide a washing device for a water treatment apparatus and a washingmethod thereof that can wash hard to reach areas of the water treatmentapparatus with washing tools or hands.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided awashing device for a water treatment apparatus, the washing deviceincluding: circulation members connected to passages of the watertreatment apparatus to circulate wash water through the passages of thewater treatment apparatus; and a circulation module connected to thecirculation members and circulating the wash water through the passagesof the water treatment apparatus and the circulation members to therebywash the passages of the water treatment apparatus.

The circulation members may include: one or more connection pipesconnected to a drain unit of the water treatment apparatus; and acirculation pipe connected to an outlet side of a filter unit of thewater treatment apparatus.

The connection pipes may be detachably coupled to cocks and/ordrainpipes forming the drain unit, and the circulation pipe may bedetachably coupled to a purified water pipe at the outlet side of thefilter unit or a purified water storage unit.

The circulation pipe may be connected to a water level controllerdetecting a water level of the purified water storage unit when thecirculation pipe is coupled to the purified water storage unit.

Mesh nets may be provided to the connection pipes or the circulationpipe in order to filter the wash water.

The circulation module may comprises an opening/closing devicesequentially opening the passages communicating with the connectionpipes to thereby sequentially circulate the wash water through thepassages.

The opening/closing device may include a housing having a plurality ofconnection ports to which the connection pipes are detachably coupled; adisc having an opening corresponding to the connection ports; and amotor opening the corresponding connection ports as the openingcorresponds to the corresponding connection ports by rotating the disc.

Check valves may be separately provided in the individual connectionports to open the connection ports when the connection pipes areconnected to the connection ports and close the connection ports whenthe connection pipes are not connected thereto.

The housing of the opening/closing device may include a plurality ofconnection passages connected to the respective connection ports and anintegrated passage connecting the connection passages into a singlepassage and connected to the circulation pipe.

The opening/closing device may be a plurality of solenoid valvesseparately provided in the connection ports coupled to the respectiveconnection pipes.

The circulation module further may further comprise an operating unitdetermining the number of the connection ports according to the numberof cocks and the number of drainpipes of the water treatment apparatus.

Connection ports may be provided at an upper surface of the circulationmodule so that the connection pipes are coupled to the connection ports,and a circulation port may be provided at a side surface of thecirculation module so that the circulation pipe is coupled to thecirculation port.

The circulation module may include drainpipes connected to thecirculation members; a passage switching unit connected to a portionwhere the circulation members are coupled to the drainpipes to therebyswitch a passage of the wash water; and a circulation pump connected tothe circulation members to selectively flow the wash water in theconnection pipes through the passages or the drainpipes of the watertreatment apparatus.

The circulation module may further comprise a wash water detection unitmeasuring a flow of the wash water and determining whether thecirculation module operates normally or not.

The wash water detection unit may be arranged at a wash water outletside of the circulation pump of the water treatment apparatus.

The wash water detection unit may be a hydraulic sensor or a flow ratesensor.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda washing method of a water treatment apparatus, the washing methodincluding: a wash water flow operation in which wash water flows intocirculation members; and a circulation washing operation in which acirculation modulation is operated to circulate the wash water throughpassages of the wash treatment apparatus.

The wash water may circulate through an outlet side of a filter unit ofthe wash treatment apparatus in the circulation washing operation.

A plurality of passages of the water treatment apparatus are dividedinto groups comprising at least one passage, and the wash watercirculates through the groups in a sequential manner to thereby wash theplurality of passages in the wash water flow operation.

A plurality of tanks of the water treatment apparatus are divided intogroups comprising at least one tank, and the wash water circulatesthrough the groups in a sequential manner to thereby wash the pluralityof tanks in the wash water flow operation.

The circulation module may be operated before a purified water storageunit at the outlet side of the filter unit is fully filled with water inthe circulation washing operation.

Malfunction may be detected by measuring a hydraulic pressure or a flowrate of the wash water in the circulation washing operation.

The circulation module may stop operating when the circulation washingoperation is completed or malfunction is detected in the circulationwashing operation.

Washing completion or malfunction may be indicated through a displayand/or a buzzer when the circulation module stops operating in thecirculation washing operation.

The washing method may further include a wash water neutralizationoperation in which the wash water is neutralized by inputting acounteragent into the wash water after the circulation washingoperation.

A plurality of passages of the water treatment apparatus may be dividedinto groups comprising at least one passage, and the wash watercirculates through the groups in a sequential manner to thereby wash theplurality of passages in the wash water neutralization operation.

Completion of neutralizing the wash water may be indicated using adisplay and/or a buzzer when the wash water neutralization operation isperformed for a predetermined period of time.

The washing method may further include a draining operation in whichneutralized wash water is drained off by operating the passage switchingunit after the wash water neutralization operation is performed for thepredetermined period of time.

The washing method may further include a cleaning operation in which thepassages of the water treatment apparatus are cleaned by supplyingpurified water to the passages of the water treatment apparatus anddraining off the purified water after the draining operation isperformed.

The passage switching unit may be operated after completely filling thepurified water storage unit at the outlet side of the filter unit withthe purified water to thereby drain off the purified water in thepurified water storage unit to the outside in the cleaning operation.

As described above, according to the present invention, areas hard toreach with washing tools or hands can also be easily washed.

According to the present invention, passages of the water treatmentapparatus can be prevented from not being partially washed or areduction in washing efficiency can be prevented due to water pressuredifferences therebetween.

According to the present invention, malfunction can be accuratelydetected during washing, and noise reduction cab be achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a water treatment apparatus and awashing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the washingdevice of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the washing device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a development view illustrating a coupling relationshipbetween connection pipes and connection ports forming the washing deviceof FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a configuration view illustrating one example of anopening/closing device of the washing device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a configuration view illustrating how a control unit of thewashing device of FIG. 2 and a control unit of a water treatmentapparatus are connected through power supply cables; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a washing method of a washing deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of a washing device for a water treatmentapparatus according to the present invention will now be described indetail.

A washing device for a water treatment apparatus according to thepresent invention can be applied to a tank type water purifier and atankless type water purifier. A description will be made, by way ofexample, to a washing device installed in a tank type water purifier.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a water treatment apparatus and awashing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the washing device for a water treatment apparatuswashes a passage inside the water treatment apparatus by circulatingwash water through the water treatment apparatus.

First, an example of a water treatment apparatus 1 to which a washingdevice 100 is applied according to the present invention will now bedescribed.

The water treatment apparatus 1 includes a filter unit 10 to filterwater flowing from a water pipe 5 or a replaceable water tank for adispenser. Examples of the filter unit 10 may include a sediment filter,a pre-carbon filter, a membrane filter, and a post-carbon filter.

The above sediment filter uses nonwoven fabric to filter foreignsubstances and suspended solids in raw water. The pre-carbon filter usessurface activated carbons to remove chlorine or odors from raw water.The membrane filter filters raw water by passing the raw water through aporous membrane using a cellulose-based composition fiber. Thepost-carbon filter has greater absorption than the surface activatedcarbons to remove color and odors.

The water treatment apparatus 1 includes a purified water storage unit20 in which purified water filtered through the filter unit 10 isstored. The purified water storage unit 20 may include a purified watertank 21, a hot water tank 25, and a cold water tank 23. The purifiedwater, filtered through the filter unit 10, is stored in the purifiedwater tank 21. The purified water discharged from the purified watertank 21 flows into the hot water tank 25 and the cold water tank 23.Alternatively, the purified water storage unit 20 only may include thecold water tank 23 and the hot water tank 25.

A cooler (not shown) that cools purified water may be installed in thecold water tank 23, while a heater (not shown) that heats purified watermay be installed in the hot water tank 25.

A water level controller 22 that measures the water level when purifiedwater passes may be installed at an inlet side of the purified waterstorage unit 20. Here, the water level controller 22 is disposed at apurified water inlet side of the purified water tank 21 so that thepurified water, discharged from the filter unit 10, flows into thepurified water tank 21. The water level controller 22 detects the waterlevel of the purified water tank 21 as the purified water passes, andblocks the flow of the purified water when the purified water tank 21 isfilled with water.

The purified water storage unit 20 is connected to a drain unit 30through purified water pipes. The drain unit 30 may include acold/purified water cock 31 connected to the purified water tank 21 andthe cold water tank 23, a hot water cock 32 connected to the hot watertank 25, and drainpipes 33 and 34 draining off water in the cold watertank 23 and the hot water tank 25, respectively, to the outside.

Here, the cold water/purified water cock 31 may be connected to a singlepurified water pipe into which the purified water pipe, connected to thepurified water tank 21, and the purified water pipe, connected to thecold water tank 23, are connected. Furthermore, the hot water cock 32may be connected to the purified water pipe connected to the hot watertank 25. In addition, opening/closing members 33 a and 34 a may beinstalled at the outlet sides of the drainpipes 33 and 34, respectively,so that the opening/closing members 33 a and 34 a are automaticallyopened as connection pipes 113 and 114 of the washing device 100 to bedescribed below are coupled thereto.

The cold water/purified water cock 31 and the hot water cock 32 mayinclude levers (not shown) to manually open or close passages inside thecocks 31 and 32, respectively. Here, when the respective levers arepressed, the individual cocks 31 and 32 may be separately opened. Whenthe respective levers are released, the respective passages of the cocks31 and 32 may be each closed.

Furthermore, the cold water/purified water cock 31 and the hot watercock 32 may include electronic valves (not shown) in order toelectromagnetically open or close the passages of the cocks 31 and 32,respectively. As for the electronic valves, solenoid valves areproposed.

When the electronic valves are used for the cold water/purified watercock 31 and the hot water cock 32 of the water treatment apparatus 1,connection terminals 51 (refer to FIG. 6) are installed on a controlunit 50 (refer to FIG. 6) of the water treatment apparatus 1 in order tosupply power to the electronic valves. The connection terminals 51 ofthe control unit 50 are detachably coupled to connection terminals ofwires (not shown) supplying power to the electronic valves.

The washing device for the water treatment device will now be described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a washingdevice according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 isa perspective view illustrating the washing device of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the washing device 100 includes circulationmembers 111 to 114 and 117 and a circulation module 120.

The circulation members 111 to 114 and 117 are connected to the passagesof the water treatment apparatus so that wash water can circulatethrough the passages of the water treatment apparatus 1. The circulationmembers 111 to 114 and 117 form an infinite loop, together with thepassages of the water treatment apparatus.

The circulation members 111 to 114 and 117 may include one or moreconnection pipes 111 to 114 that are connected to the drain unit 30 ofthe water treatment apparatus 1, and a circulation pipe 117 connected toan outlet side of the filter unit 10 of the water treatment apparatus.

The number of connection pipes 111 to 114 may be large enough to beconnected to drainage structures including the drainpipes 33 and 34 andthe cocks 31 and 32 of the water treatment apparatus 1. As for a watertreatment apparatus having a small number of drainage structures, someof the connection pipes 111 to 114 may be connected to the drainagestructures and others may not be connected to the drainage structures.

The connection pipes 111 to 114 may be detachably connected to the cocks31 and 32 and/or the drainpipes 33 and 34 constituting the drain unit30. Here, fitting devices or connectors 111 a to 114 a may be coupled toone set of ends of the connection pipes 111 to 114 so that theconnection pipes 111 to 114 can be detachably connected to the cocks 31and 32 and the drainpipes 33 and 34. In addition, connectors 111 a to114 a may be connected to the other set of ends of the connection pipes111 to 114, respectively, so that the connection pipes 111 to 114 can bedetachably connected to the connection ports 131 to 134 of thecirculation module 120, respectively.

After the connectors 111 a to 114 a are connected to the cocks 31 and 32and the drainpipes 33 and 34, the connectors 111 a to 114 a can beeasily separated from the cocks 31 and 32 and the drainpipes 33 and 34by pulling or pushing the connectors 111 a to 114 a. These connectors111 a to 114 a may be configured in various ways.

The circulation pipe 117 may be connected to the outlet side of thefilter unit 10. For example, the circulation pipe 117 may be detachablycoupled to a purified water pipe 22 of the outlet side of the filterunit 10 or the purified water tank 21 in the purified water storage unit20. Here, connectors 117 a having the same configuration as theconnectors 111 a to 114 a of the connection pipes 111 to 114 may beprovided on both ends of the circulation pipe 117.

After the filter unit 10 is separated from the water treatment apparatus1, the connectors 117 a of the circulation pipe 117 may be connected toa purified water pipe 22 of the outlet side of the filter unit 10. Here,the purified water pipe 22 of the outlet side of the filter unit refersto a purified water pipe connecting the filter unit 10 and the purifiedwater tank 21 to each other.

Furthermore, the connectors 117 a of the circulation pipe 117 may beconnected to the water level controller 22 after the water levelcontroller 22 of the purified water storage unit 20 is separated fromthe purified water pipe.

Mesh nets 115 may be provided in the connection pipes 111 to 114 or thecirculation pipe 117 to filter wash water. The mesh nets 115 have meshesthat do not apply much water pressure of the wash water to theconnection pipes 111 to 114 and the circulation pipe 117. As show inFIG. 2, the mesh nets 115 are provided in the connectors 111 a to 114 aof connection pipes 111 to 114. However, the mesh nets 115 may beinstalled in the connection pipes and the circulation pipe.

Here, the mesh nets 115 may be detachably coupled to the connectors 111a to 114 a provided on the other set of ends of the connection pipes 111to 114. Therefore, before installing the connection pipes 111 to 114 inthe water treatment apparatus 1 or after separating the connection pipes111 to 114 therefrom, it is easy to wash the mesh nets 115 clean orreplace the mesh nets 115 with new ones.

The connection pipes 111 to 114 may be long enough to be connected tothe cocks 31 and 32/drainpipes 33 and 34 and the circulation module 120disposed in the water treatment apparatus 1 when the circulation module120 is laid on the ground. Furthermore, the circulation pipe 117 may belong enough to be connected to the purified water tank 21 or the outletpurified water pipe 22 of the outlet side of the filter unit 10 disposedat an upper part of the water treatment apparatus 1 when the circulationmodule 120 is laid on the ground. Therefore, the circulation pipe 117may be relatively longer than the connection pipes 111 to 114.

The circulation module 120 may include a detergent inlet 121 and acounteragent inlet 122 through which detergent and a counteragent areintroduced. The detergent inlet 121 and the counteragent inlet 122 maybe connected to a wash water inlet or outlet side of the circulationpump 173. Therefore, the detergent and the counteragent are introducedinto areas having high fluidity in the circulation module 120, so thatthe detergent and the counteragent can be mixed with purified water in ashort period of time.

Alternatively, without installing the detergent inlet 121 and thecounteragent inlet 122 in the circulation module 120, a user or acoordinator may directly inject detergent or a counteragent into thepassage of the purified water tank 21 or the circulation module 120.

As for the detergent, various chemicals capable of cleaning andsterilizing the inner surface of the water treatment apparatus may beused. In addition, as for the counteragent, appropriate chemicals needto be used according to the composition of the detergent.

As an example of the detergent, a detergent, as disclosed in KoreanPatent Publication No. 10-2006-0129670, may be applied. There isdisclosed a washing method including performing primary cleaning using afirst cleaning solution containing chlorine dioxide and performingsecondary cleaning using a second cleaning solution containing ammoniumions and hydroxyl ions. According to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, different types of detergent as well as theabove-described detergent can be used.

Two or more connection ports 131 to 134 connected to the connectionpipes 111 to 114, respectively, and one circulation port 137, connectedto the circulation pipe 117, may be formed in the circulation module120. Here, the connection ports 131 to 134 are detachably connected tothe connectors 111 a to 114 a of the connection pipes 111 to 114,respectively, and the circulation port 137 is detachably connected tothe connector 117 a of the circulation pipe 117.

The connection ports 131 to 134 may be formed on an upper surface of acase of the circulation module 120. Therefore, while the circulationmodule 120 is laid on the ground, it is possible to easily couple theconnectors 111 a to 114 a of the connection pipes 111 to 114,respectively, above the connection ports 131 to 134. Furthermore, it ispossible to visually check whether the plurality of connection pipes 111to 114 are normally connected to the connection ports 131 to 134,respectively.

The circulation port 137 may be formed on the side of the case of thecirculation module 120. Therefore, the circulation module 120 may belaid on the ground after the connectors 117 a of the circulation pipe117 are coupled to the circulation port 137 of the circulation module120.

The circulation module 120 may include a plurality of connectionpassages 141, connected to the connection ports 131 to 134,respectively, and an integrated passage 142 integrating the connectionpassages 141 into a single passage so as to be connected to thecirculation port 137. The connection passages 141 branch off from theintegrated passage 142. The connection passages 141 and the integratedpassage 142 may be formed in an opening/closing device 160 to bedescribed below.

In addition, in the circulation module 120, a drain port 144 may beformed at a portion where the integrated passage 142 and the circulationport 137 are connected to each other.

A cover 146 may be provided in the circulation module 120 in order toopen or close the top of the connection ports 131 to 134. The cover 146prevents the ingress of foreign substances into the connection ports 131to 134.

A power cord 147 may be connected to the circulation module 120 tosupply power to the circulation module 120 from an external powersource. A switch 148 may be provided on the circulation module 120 inorder to turn the circulation module 120 on or off.

The opening/closing device 160 may be provided in the circulation module120. The connection pipes 111 to 114 are detachably coupled to theopening/closing device 160. The opening/closing device 160 opens thepassages communicating with the connection pipes 111 to 114 in asequential manner. The passages are divided into groups comprising atleast one passage, and the wash water circulates through the groups in asequential manner to thereby wash the passages. This opening/closingdevice 160 will be described in detail below.

The circulation module 120 may further include a operating unit 150 inorder to determine the number of connection ports 131 to 134 accordingto the cocks 31 and 32 and the drainpipes 33 and 34 of the watertreatment apparatus 1. Here, information about the number of cocks 31and 32 and the number of drainpipes 33 and 34 may be visualized on adisplay panel 153 of the operating unit 150.

Therefore, when a user or a coordinator inputs the number of cocks 31and 32 and the number of drainpipes 33 and 34 by using the operatingunit 150, the control unit 180 of the circulation module 120 controlsthe opening/closing device 160 to sequentially open groups into whichthe cocks 31 and 32 and the drainpipes 33 and 34 are divided with eachgroup including at least one so that groups into which passages insidethe water treatment apparatus 1 are divided with each group includingone passage may be washed in a sequential manner.

For example, the cold water tank 23, the drainpipe 33 of the cold watertank 23, the drainpipe 34 of the hot water tank 25, and the hot watertank 25 may be sequentially washed. Furthermore, after the cold watertank 23 and the drainpipe 33 are washed at the same time, the hot watertank 25 and the drainpipe 34 may then be washed at the same time.

In addition, although not shown in the drawings, an engagement detectionsensor (not shown) may be provided in the connection ports 131 to 134 ofthe circulation module 120 in order to determine whether the connectionpipes 111 to 114 are coupled thereto or not. Here, when the connectionpipes 111 to 114 are coupled to the connection ports 131 to 134,respectively, the control unit 180 of the circulation module 120 maydetermine to which connection ports 131 to 134 the connection pipes 111to 114 are connected. The control unit 180 of the circulation module 120controls the opening/closing device 160 to open groups into which theconnection ports 131 to 134 coupled to the connection pipes 111 to 114are divided with each group including at least one connection port, sothat groups into which the passages inside the water treatment apparatus1 are divided with each group including at least one passage may beopened in a sequential manner.

When the coupling detection sensor is provided in the connection ports131 to 134 of the circulation module 120, the number of cocks 31 and 32and the number of drainpipes 33 and 34 may not to be input using theoperating unit 150.

Buttons 151 a to 151 f in association with the number of cocks 31 and 32and the number of drainpipes 33 and 34, circulation wash, wash waterneutralization, wash water drainage, and batch wash may be formed on theoperating unit 150 of the circulation module 120. A mechanical ortouchpad type may be applied to the buttons 151 a to 151 f.

The display panel 153 or a buzzer 155 may be provided in the operatingunit 150 in order to display an error message in relation to wash wateror indicate an error message with an alarm. Here, an LED or a liquidcrystal display panel may be used as the display panel 153.

The circulation module 120 may include a wash water drainpipe 148connected to the circulation members 111 to 114 and 117, the passageswitching unit 171 coupled to a portion where the wash water drainpipe148 and the circulation members 111 to 114 and 117 are connected tothereby switch the passage of wash water, and the circulation pump 137connected to the circulation members to flow the wash water through thepassages of the water treatment apparatus 1 or through the wash waterdrainpipe 148.

Here, the wash water drainpipe 148 is connected to the portion where theconnection pipes 111 to 114 and the circulation pipe 117 are connectedto each other. The passage switching unit 171 may be coupled to aportion where the connection pipes 111 to 114, the circulation pipe 117,and the wash water drainpipe 148 are connected to each other. Thecirculation pump 137 may be connected to the connection pipes 111 to 114or the circulation pipe 117.

The wash water drainpipe 148 may be detachably coupled to the drain port144 of the circulation module 120. Here, the wash water, discharged fromthe circulation module 120, is discharged into a sink or a drain throughthe wash water drainpipe 148.

As for the passage switching unit 171, a three-way valve is provided toselectively allow wash water, introduced into the connection pipes 111to 114, to flow through the circulation pipe 117 or the wash waterdrainpipe 148.

The circulation pump 173 may have an impeller (not shown) and a pumpingmotor (not shown) therein.

The circulation module 120 may further include a wash water detectionunit 175 that measures the flow of the wash water to determine whetherthe circulation module 120 operates normally or not. Here, as for thewash water detection unit 175, a hydraulic sensor or a flow rate sensormay be used.

The wash water detection unit 175 may be disposed at the wash wateroutlet side of the circulation pump 173 for the following reasons.

The circulation pump 173 may not operate normally or the opening/closingdevice 160 may not completely open the passages of the connection ports131 to 134. Here, sufficient water pressure may not be applied to thewash water outlet side of the circulation pump 173. Therefore, byproviding the wash water detection unit 175 at the wash water outletside, it is possible to accurately determine whether the opening/closingdevice 160 and the circulation pump 173 are operated normally or not.

FIG. 4 is a development view illustrating connection pipes andconnection ports forming a washing device.

Referring to FIG. 4, check valves 136 may be separately provided in theindividual connection ports 131 to 134 of the circulation module 120.The check valves 136 open the passages of the connection ports 131 to134 when the connection pipes 111 to 114 are connected. On the otherhand, the check valves 136 close the passages of the connection ports131 to 134 when the connection pipes 111 to 114 are not connected.

Here, each of the check valves 136 may include an opening/closing member136 a in each of the connection ports 131 to 134, a spring 136 belastically supporting the opening/closing member 136 a, and a packing136 c coupled to the upper surface of the opening/closing member 136 ato close each of the connection ports 131 to 134 while theopening/closing member 136 a is lifted.

When the connection pipes 111 to 114 are coupled to the connection ports131 to 134, respectively, the mesh nets 115 of the connection pipes 111to 114 pressurize the opening/closing members 136 a of the connectionports 131 to 134 to thereby open the passages of the connection ports131 to 134. Here, wash water can pass through the passages of theconnection ports 131 to 134.

On the other hand, when the connection pipes 111 to 114 are not coupledto the connection ports 131 to 134, respectively, the opening/closingmembers 136 a of the check valves 136 are not pressurized, and thepassages of the connection ports 131 to 134 are thus closed. Here, thecheck valves 136 can prevent air inflow through the connection ports 131to 134 by an interaction between the spring 136 b and the packing 136 c.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the configuration of an example of anopening/closing device of a washing device.

Referring to FIG. 5, the opening/closing device 160 may include ahousing 161, a disc 163, and a motor 165.

The housing 161 may include the plurality of connection ports 131 to 134coupled to the connection pipes 111 to 114, respectively, a plurality ofconnection passages 141 separately commutating with the individualconnection ports 131 to 134, and an integrated passage 142 communicatingwith the connection passages 141.

An opening 163 a may be formed in the disc 163 so that the opening 163 acorresponds to the connection passages 141 of the housing 161.

The motor 165 opens the corresponding connection ports 131 to 134 as theopening 163 a corresponds to the connection passages 141 of theconnection ports 131 to 134 upon rotation of the disc 163. As for themotor 165, a stepping motor that rotates a disc by every predeterminedangle is proposed.

As for this disc-type opening/closing device 160, a single motor 165 isused, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs and weight of the washingdevice 100.

In addition, when the connection pipe 113 is not coupled to theconnection port 133 of the connection ports 131 to 134, theopening/closing member 136 a of the check valve 136 is not pressurized.As a result, the passage of the connection port 133 is closed.

Here, the check valves 136 can prevent air inflow through the connectionport 133 by an interaction between the spring 136 b and the packing 136c. Therefore, it is possible to prevent air from being sucked into theopening/closing device 160 through the connection port 133 to which theconnection pipe 113 is not coupled. In addition, since the disc 163 ofthe opening/closing device 160 closes the connection port 133 to whichthe connection pipe 113 is not coupled, the connection port 133 to whichthe connection pipe 113 is not coupled is double blocked to therebyprevent air inflow.

Therefore, the formation of bubbles in the wash water of theopening/closing device 160 is minimized, so that the circulation pump173 can normally pump the wash water, and the water pressure of the washwater can be kept constant. Therefore, pumping noise made when thecirculation pump 173 pumps the wash water can be reduced.

Furthermore, by minimizing the formation of bubbles in the wash water inthe opening/closing device 160, the wash water detection unit 175,disposed at the outlet side of the opening/closing device 160, canaccurately detect the hydraulic pressure or the flow rate of the washwater.

Furthermore, as the formation of bubbles in the wash water of thecirculation pump 173 or the circulation pipe 117 is minimized, noisemade when the wash water flows through the circulation pipe 117 can bereduced. In addition, washing performance can also be improved.

Meanwhile, though not shown in the drawings, the opening/closing device160 may include a plurality of solenoid valves separately provided inthe individual connection ports 131 to 134. Here, as power is applied tothe circulation module 120, the solenoid valves open or close thepassages of the connection ports 131 to 134.

As this solenoid type opening/closing device uses a plurality ofsolenoid valves, it is possible to accurately control the opening andclosing of each of the connection ports 131 to 134.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the configuration in which a control unitof a washing device and a control unit of a water treatment apparatusare connected to each other through power supply cables.

Referring to FIG. 6, connection terminals 181 may be formed at thecirculation module 120 so as to be connected to the electronic valves ofthe water treatment apparatus 1 through the power supply cables 185.Therefore, when one set of terminals of the power supply cables 185 areconnected to the connection terminals 181 of the circulation module 120,and the other set of terminals of the power supply cables 185 areconnected to the connection terminals 51 of the water treatmentapparatus 1, power is supplied to the cocks 31 and 32 of the watertreatment apparatus 1 through the power supply cables 185, therebyopening or closing the cocks 31 and 32 of the water treatment apparatus1.

Therefore, the washing device 100 can be used in both a case in whichthe cocks 31 and 32 of the water treatment apparatus 1 are manuallyopened or closed and a case in which the cocks 31 and 32 of the watertreatment apparatus 1 are automatically opened or closed.

A process of installing the washing device for a water treatmentapparatus, which has the above-described configuration according to theexemplary embodiment of the invention, in a water treatment apparatuswill now be described.

Referring to FIG. 2, when the water treatment apparatus 1 needs to bewashed, a power plug (not shown) of the water treatment apparatus 1 ispulled out to cut off power supply.

When the hot water tank 25 of the water treatment apparatus 1 is filledwith hot water, the hot water cock 32 is opened to completely drain offthe hot water. In this way, the user or the coordinator can be preventedfrom being burned with the hot water when connecting the washing device100 to the water treatment apparatus 1.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the one set of ends of the connection pipes111 to 114 are respectively coupled to the cold water/purified watercock 31, the hot water cock 32, and the drainpipes 33 and 34 of thewater treatment apparatus 1, while the other set of ends of theconnection pipes 111 to 114 are coupled to the connection ports 131 to134 of the circulation module 120. Here, the mesh nets 115 of theconnection pipes 111 to 114 pressurize the corresponding check valves136, the passages of the connection ports 131 to 134 are opened (referto FIG. 4). Furthermore, the connection ports 131 to 134, which are notcoupled to the connection pipes 111 to 114, respectively, are closed bythe check valves 136, thereby blocking air inflow into the passage ofthe washing device 100.

Furthermore, one side of the circulation pipe 117 is coupled to thepurified water pipe 22 of the outlet side of the filter unit 10 or thewater level controller 22 of the purified water tank 21. The other sideof the circulation pipe 117 is coupled to the circulation port 137 ofthe circulation module 120.

When the cocks 31 and 32 of the water treatment apparatus 1 are manuallyoperated, the cocks 31 and 32 are opened by pressurizing the levers ofthe cocks 31 and 32. Here, there is no need to install the power supplycables 185.

Furthermore, when the cocks 31 and 32 of the water treatment apparatus 1are opened or closed by the electromagnetic valves, the terminals of thepower supply cables 185 at both ends thereof are connected to theconnection terminals 51 of the water treatment apparatus 1 and theconnection terminal 181 of the circulation module 120 (refer to FIG. 6).Here, the control unit 180 applies power to the connection terminals 51of the water treatment apparatus through the power supply cables 185. Aspower is supplied to the connection terminals 51 of the water treatmentapparatus, the cocks 31 and 32 of the water treatment apparatus areopened.

When the detergent inlet 121 and the counteragent inlet 122 are notprovided in the washing device 100, detergent may be manually inputafter opening the purified water tank 21 of the water treatmentapparatus 1. Furthermore, when the detergent inlet 121 is provided inthe washing device 100, detergent may be automatically input through thedetergent inlet 121.

Power is supplied to the washing device 100 by connecting the power cord147 of the circulation module 120 to an external power source andmanipulating the switch 148 of the circulation module 120.

A washing method of the water treatment apparatus having theabove-described configuration according to the exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention and the operation thereof will now be described.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a washing method of a washing deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the operating unit 150 of the circulation module120 is manipulated to determine the number of cocks 31 and 32 and thenumber of drainpipes 33 and 34 to be connected. When the circulationwash button 151 b or the batch wash button 151 f is selected using theoperating unit 150 of the washing device 100, the control unit 180 ofthe washing device 100 operates the opening/closing device 160, thecirculation pump 173, the wash water detection unit 175, and the passageswitching unit 171 of the circulation module 120. A wash mode is set inthis manner (S11).

Here, when wash water is supplied to all the passages in the watertreatment apparatus 1 at the same time, water pressure deviations of thewash water may locally occur according to the flow structures of thewater treatment apparatus 1. That is, high water pressure of the washwater may be applied to some of the passages in the water treatmentapparatus 1, while significantly lower water pressure of the wash watermay be applied to the others. As such, when the wash water is suppliedto all the passages in the water treatment apparatus at the same time, adead zone, where washing is not performed due to the significantly lowerwater pressure of the wash water, may occur.

In order to prevent the generation of the dead zone, the wash water isflowed as follows.

The control unit 180 of the washing device 100 controls theopening/closing device 160 and sequentially opens groups into which thecocks 31 and 32 and the drainpipes 33 and 34 are divided with each groupincluding at least one, so that the wash water sequentially flowsthrough groups into which the passages inside the water treatmentapparatus 1 are divided with each group including at least one passage.

A description will be made of a case in which the cold water tank 23,the drainpipe 33 of the cold water tank 23, the hot water tank 25, andthe drainpipe 34 of the hot water tank 25 are washed in that order.

The control unit 180 of the washing device 100 opens the connection pipe111 and the circulation pipe 117 (S12). That is, by operating theopening/closing device 160, the passage of the connection port 131connected to the cold water/purified water cock 31 is opened, while thepassages of the connection ports 132 to 134 are closed.

Furthermore, as the circulation pump 173 operates, the wash water in thepurified water tank 21 and the cold water tank 23 is discharged throughthe cold water/purified water cock 31 (S14).

In addition, the control unit 180 of the washing device 100 switches theswitching unit 171 into a circulation mode (S14). Here, the control unit180 of the washing device 100 causes the switching unit 171 to open thecirculation pipe 117 and close the wash water drainpipe 148.

The wash water in the cold water/purified water cock 31 flows into thewater level controller 22 through the circulation pump 173, the washwater detection unit 175, the passage switching unit 171, and thecirculation pipe 117. The wash water flowing into the water levelcontroller 22 flows into the purified water tank 21 and the cold watertank 23.

During this process, the wash water detection unit 175 detects the waterpressure or the flow of the wash water and transmits the measured waterpressure or flow rate of the wash water to the control unit 180 of thewashing device 100.

When it is determined that the water pressure or the flow rate of thewash water has not reached a predetermined value, the control unit 180of the washing device 100 stops the operation of the circulation pump173 and displays an error message and/or indicates an error message withan alarm using the display panel 153 and/or the buzzer 155 of thewashing device 100. Otherwise, the circulation pump 173 keeps operating.

While the circulation of the wash water is performed for a predeterminedtime, the purified water tank 21, the cold water tank 23, some of thepurified water pipes, the cold/purified water cock 31, and the waterlevel controller 22 are washed.

Then, the control unit 180 of the washing device 100 operates theopening/closing device 160 to open the connection port 132 connected tothe hot water cock 32 and close the other connection ports 131, 133, and134. Here, the circulation pump 173 may be paused or keep operatingwhile the opening/closing device 160 operates.

Then, the wash water in the hot water tank 25 is discharged through thehot water cock 32. The wash water in the hot water cock flows into thewater level controller 22 through the circulation pump 173, the washwater detection unit 175, the passage switching unit 171, and thecirculation pipe 117. The wash water, flowing into the water levelcontroller 22, flows into the purified water tank 21 and the hot watertank 25.

As the wash water circulates through the purified water tank 21, the hotwater tank 25 and the passage thereof, the hot water tank 25 and thepassage thereof are washed.

Then, the control unit 180 of the washing device 100 operates theopening/closing device 160 to thereby open the connection port 133connected to the drainpipe 33 of the cold water tank 23 and close theother connection ports 131, 132, and 134. As a result, the purifiedwater tank 21, the cold water tank 23, and the drainpipe 33 of the coldwater tank 23 are washed.

Furthermore, the control unit 180 of the washing device 100 operates theopening/closing device 160 to open the connection port 134 of the hotwater tank 25 connected to the drainpipe 34 and close the otherconnection ports 131 to 133. As a result, the purified water tank 21,the hot water tank 25, and the drainpipe 34 of the hot water tank 25 arewashed.

While the hot water tank 25 and the drainpipes 33 and 34 are beingwashed, the wash water detection unit 175 measures the water pressure orthe flow rate of the wash water and transmits the measured waterpressure or flow rate to the control unit 180 of the washing device 100.When the water pressure or the flow rate of the wash water has notreached a predetermined value, the control unit 180 stops the operationof the circulation pump 173 and may indicate an error message or analarm.

As described above, in the washing device 100, the wash water flowsthrough the purified water tank 21, the cold water tank 23, the hotwater tank 25, the drainpipe 33 of the cold water tank 23, and thedrainpipe 34 of the hot water tank 25 in a sequential manner, so thatthe water pressure deviation of the wash water may hardly occur in thepassages through which the wash water flow. Therefore, it is possible tothoroughly wash the passages of the water treatment apparatus 1.

Furthermore, the washing device 100 can wash the cold water/purifiedwater cock 31, the drainpipes 33 and 34, the water level controller 22,and the purified water pipes, which are hard to reach with hands orwashing tools, as well as the tanks 21, 23, and 25, which can be reachedby hands or washing tools.

Then, when the control unit 180 of the washing device 100 determinesthat circulation washing time has been reached (S15), the operation ofthe circulation pump 173 may be stopped (S16). Furthermore, a messageor/and an alarm indicating the completion of washing may be giventhrough the display panel 153 and/or the buzzer 155 of the operatingunit 150.

The control unit 180 of the washing device 100 determines whether thecounteragent into the purified water tank 21 or the washing device 100has been completed or not (S17).

When it is determined that the input of the counteragent has beencompleted, the circulation pump 173 operates (S18). Here, the passageswitching unit 171 opens the circulation pipe 117 and closes the washwater drainpipe 148, so that the wash water in the circulation pump 173flows into the circulation pipe 117.

When neutralizing the wash water, the wash water may sequentiallycirculate through groups into which the plurality of passages of thewater treatment apparatus are divided, with each group including atleast one passage. That is, the wash water containing the counteragentmay circulate sequentially through the cold water tank 23, the hot watertank 25, the drainpipe 33 of the cold water tank 23, and the drainpipe34 of the hot water tank 25.

Therefore, when neutralizing the wash water, the detergent, attached tothe tanks or the passages of the water treatment apparatus, can beuniformly neutralized by minimizing the water pressure differenceoccurring in the passages of the water treatment apparatus. Furthermore,even in a neutralization mode for the wash water, it is possible toremove a zone of the water treatment apparatus, where the wash waterstagnates.

Furthermore, while the wash water is neutralized, the wash waterdetection unit 175 measures the water pressure or the flow rate of thewash water, and transmits the measured water pressure or the measuredflow rate of the wash water to the control unit 180 of the washingdevice 100. When the water pressure or the flow rate of the wash waterhas not reached a predetermined value, the control unit 180 stops theoperation of the circulation pump 173 or may send an error messageand/or an alarm.

When the control unit 180 of the washing device 100 determines that thepredetermined neutralization time has been reached (S19), the passageswitching unit 171 is switched into a drain mode (S20). Here, thepassage switching unit 171 keeps closing the circulation pipe 117 andopening the wash water drainpipe 148.

Therefore, after the wash water in the water treatment apparatus 1 issufficiently neutralized by the counteragent, the neutralized wash wateris discharged through the wash water drainpipe 148. Here, thecirculation pump 173 keeps operating.

Furthermore, the control unit 180 of the washing device 100 may indicatethat the neutralization mode has been completed through a display and/oran alarm.

The control unit 180 of the washing device 100 determines whether thedrain mode has been completed or not (S21). Here, the control unit 180of the washing device 100 determines whether the drain mode has beencompleted or not by integrating time during which the passage switchingunit 171 is switched into the drain mode or by measuring the waterpressure and the flow rate detected by the wash water detection unit175.

When it is determined that the drain mode has been completed, thecontrol unit 180 of the washing device 100 indicates the completion ofthe drain mode through a display and/or alarm. Furthermore, theoperation of the circulation pump 173 is stopped (S22).

Then, fresh water is supplied to the water treatment apparatus 1 (S23).That is, the user or the control unit 180 of the washing device 100 maycause water to flow into the purified water tank 21 through the waterpipe.

Here, the control unit 180 of the washing device 100 fills the purifiedwater tank 21 with fresh water. When the purified water tank 21 isfilled with water, the control unit 180 stops supplying water to thewater treatment apparatus 1.

After the purified water tank 21 is filled with water, the drain ispaused for a predetermined time, so that the counteragent or thedetergent remaining in the purified water tank 21 can be sufficientlycleaned.

After the purified water tank 21 is filled with water, and thepredetermined time has passed, the water in the purified water tank 21is drained off. The washing device 100 determines the completion of thewash mode by determining whether the water in the purified water tank 21has been completely drained off.

When it is determined that the wash mode has been completed (S24), thecontrol unit of the washing device 100 indicates that the wash mode hasbeen completed through an alarm or the display of the operating unit150.

As described above, the washing device washes groups into which passagesof the water treatment apparatus are divided with each group includingat least one passage, neutralizes wash water, and cleans the remainingdetergent or counteragent. Therefore, the user can drink clean waterafter the washing operation of the washing device.

As set forth above, according to exemplary embodiments of the invention,hard to reach areas with hands or washing tools inside a water treatmentapparatus can also be washed to thus suggest significant industrialapplicability.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A washing device for a water treatmentapparatus, the washing device comprising: circulation members connectedto passages of the water treatment apparatus to circulate wash waterthrough the passages of the water treatment apparatus; and a circulationmodule connected to the circulation members for circulating the washwater through the passages of the water treatment apparatus, with thecirculation members thereby washing the passages of the water treatmentapparatus, wherein the circulation members comprise: one or moreconnection pipes connected to drain units of the water treatmentapparatus, and a circulation pipe connected to an outlet side of afilter unit of the water treatment apparatus, and wherein thecirculation module comprises: an opening/closing device for sequentiallyopening passages communicating with the one or more connection pipes tosequentially circulate the wash water through the passages, and anoperating unit determining a number of connection ports according to anumber of cocks and a number of drainpipes of the water treatmentapparatus.
 2. The washing device of claim 1, wherein the connectionpipes are detachably coupled to cocks and drainpipes forming the drainunits, and the circulation pipe is detachably coupled to a purifiedwater pipe at the outlet side of the filter unit or a purified waterstorage unit.
 3. The washing device of claim 1, wherein theopening/closing device comprises: a housing having a plurality ofconnection ports to which the connection pipes are detachably coupled; adisc having an opening corresponding to the connection ports; and amotor opening the corresponding connection ports as the openingcorresponds to the corresponding connection ports by rotation of thedisc.
 4. The washing device of claim 3, wherein check valves areseparately provided in individual connection ports to open theconnection ports when the connection pipes are connected to theconnection ports and to close the connection ports when the connectionpipes are not connected thereto.
 5. The washing device of claim 1,wherein the circulation module comprises: a drainpipe connected to thecirculation members; a passage switching unit connected to a portionwhere the circulation members are coupled to the drainpipe to switchpassage of the wash water; and a circulation pump connected to thecirculation members to selectively circulate the wash water in theconnection pipes through the drainpipe or the passages of the watertreatment apparatus.
 6. The washing device of claim 5, wherein thecirculation module further comprises a wash water detection unitmeasuring a flow of the wash water to determine whether the circulationmodule operates normally or not.
 7. The washing device of claim 6,wherein the wash water detection unit is arranged at a wash water outletside of the circulation pump.